It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fred Norman on November 22nd, 2023, surrounded by love in Collingwood, Ontario after 90 years of a well-lived life. He is survived by his loving wife Sylvia Norman, his sister Una (Verne), sister-in-law Sheila, his children Marissa (Ann), Chris (Terri), Lisa (Dave), Louise, Chris (Sarah), Nathan and grandchildren Lilja, Maddie, Quinn, Jacob, Benjamin, Chelsea, Courtney, Jesse, Phoenix, Rachel, Curtis, Nevene, great granddaughter Shyla, many nieces and nephews and his little, care-taking dog, Max.
Fred was born in Piney, Manitoba in 1933 to Icelandic-Canadian parents, Sigridur and Kristinn Norman. He was the 8th of 9 children and loved being part of a large and loving family. He spent his childhood contributing to the work that needed to be done on the family farm. After graduation he moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he found employment starting in the mailroom of Great West Saddlery and then moved to B/A Oil which took him all over Manitoba including Virden, Flin Flon and Churchill, then to Halifax and eventually to Toronto.
He was a member of the Winnipeg Junior Chamber of Commerce performing charity work such as showing movies to polio patients in iron lungs and war veterans at Deer Lodge Hospital as well as running blood donor clinics. He also volunteered with the March of Dimes, the Beautifying Winnipeg program, and was instrumental in introducing garbage cans for the streets of Winnipeg. He was a founding member of the Kinsmen Club of Halifax, serving as President for 2 years. Additionally, Fred graduated from the Dale Carnegie course to become an instructor.
Fred moved to Toronto in 1968 with B/A Oil, which later became Gulf Oil, to work in Planning and Property Development. After resigning from Gulf Oil, he became part owner and general manager of a retail business for 20 years.
He moved to Collingwood, an area he loved, after retirement and enjoyed travelling to North Carolina, Portugal, Mexico and the UK.
Fred’s sense of humour, warmth, curiosity, intelligence and incredible memory were apparent in his nicknames for everyone, iconic sayings, engaging conversations and wonderful stories. He had an incredible ability to put everyone at ease and draw people to him.
He was treasured and will be sorely missed by those who had the pleasure of being touched by his truly wonderful spirit.
Our family would like to thank everyone at the Bouchard Family Practice who have supported us every step of the way, the instrumental care at the Orillia Kidney Clinic, the nursing staff at the Ambulatory Care at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, the staff on the first floor of the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, and the exceptional end-of-life care at Hospice Georgian Triangle, Campbell House.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Fred’s life, the family asks that any donations be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle. Friends may visit Fred's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com